Crypto News: Democrats Push Ethics Amendments to Crypto Market Structure Bill Ahead of Senate Vote

US Democratic senators have filed a new round of ethics-focused amendments to the crypto market structure bill, intensifying efforts to prevent public officials from profiting from digital asset interests as Congress debates long-awaited crypto regulation.
The amendments were submitted Friday ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s scheduled markup on Tuesday, where lawmakers are expected to review proposed legislation aimed at clarifying federal oversight of cryptocurrencies, defining regulatory jurisdiction, and establishing clearer rules for market participants.
Democrats target conflicts of interest in crypto
Among the most notable proposals is an amendment from Senator Michael Bennet, which would incorporate the Digital Asset Ethics Act into the broader market structure bill. The measure seeks to restrict US government officials from benefiting financially from crypto-related ventures while in office.
The move reflects growing Democratic concerns over alleged conflicts of interest involving President Donald Trump, particularly his reported ties to the World Liberty Financial crypto platform — an involvement critics say has significantly boosted his personal net worth.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats have repeatedly called for stricter safeguards to ensure that crypto legislation does not enable self-dealing by elected officials or senior policymakers.
Proposal would delay bill until CFTC seats are filled
Another amendment, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar, would delay the law’s implementation until the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is fully staffed.
The CFTC is currently operating with only its chair, Michael Selig, who was sworn in on Dec. 22. The remaining four commissioner seats remain vacant, with no confirmed timeline for appointments.
Supporters of the amendment argue that enforcing sweeping crypto oversight without a full commission could weaken regulatory effectiveness and enforcement consistency.
Additional amendments expand scope beyond crypto
Other Democratic senators — Roger Marshall, Dick Durbin, and Peter Welch — filed amendments seeking to attach the Credit Card Competition Act to the bill. The proposal would prohibit payment networks and certain issuing banks from enforcing exclusive network arrangements on credit cards.
The additions underscore how the crypto market structure debate has increasingly become a broader battleground over financial regulation, competition policy, and consumer protections.
Senate markup faces uncertainty
Tuesday’s markup was already delayed once, after disputes emerged over stablecoin reward restrictions and decentralized finance provisions — disagreements that prompted Coinbase to withdraw its support for the bill earlier this month.
Lawmakers now face renewed uncertainty, as a major snowstorm is forecast to hit Washington, DC, potentially forcing another postponement.
Despite the delays, the legislation remains one of the most closely watched crypto bills in Congress, with industry participants viewing it as a critical step toward long-term regulatory clarity in the United States.
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